Gandhinagar: National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key suspect working for Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) from Godhra in Gujarat. NIA hasarrested a key accused Giteli Imran, for his involvement in espionage activities and working for Pakistan’s ISI. Further investigation is underway, said National Investigation Agency. The case relates to an international espionage racket in which Pakistan-based spies recruited agents in India for collecting sensitive and classified information regarding locations and movements of Indian Naval Ships and Submarines, and other defence establishments.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Giteli Imran (37), a resident from Godhra in Gujarat under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act (UAPAA), 2019 and the Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923. Giteli is a key accused in the Visakhapatnam naval spy ring case, on charges of depositing money in the accounts of a few personnel of the Indian Navy in lieu of sensitive and classified data provided by them that are of use to Pakistan.

In this international espionage racket, Pakistan-based spies recruited agents in India for collecting sensitive and classified information regarding locations and movements of Indian naval ships and submarines and other defence establishments. The racket was unearthed last December on the basis of specific intelligence information that naval officers, who mostly belonged to lower ranks, were being paid off by Pakistani agents. NIA has filed a charge sheet against 14 persons, including 11 naval officers, in the case on June 15.Imran is the 15th arrest made in the case.

“An investigation revealed that a few navy personnel came in contact with Pakistani agents through social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp etc. They shared classified information in lieu of money deposited into their bank accounts through Indian associates of the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), the Pakistani intelligence agency. The Indian associates have business interests in Pakistan,” said Sonia Narang, spokesperson, NIA.

The spokesperson said that some digital devices and incriminating documents have been seized from house of the arrested accused.

“The investigation has revealed that the arrested accused Giteli Imran was associated with Pakistani spies and agents under the guise of cross-border cloth trade. As per the directions of Pakistan-based spies, he deposited money into the bank accounts of Indian Navy personnel at regular intervals in lieu of sensitive and classified data provided by them,” said Narang.